Landing in Your Inbox

23 - noraebang

November 13, 2020, 7:30 P.M.
Su Noraebang, Hongdae, Seoul

"Cha Chara Chara Chara Chan Chan Chan!"

Jeong-hyeok and Kwang-beom removed their shoes before entering their private room at the noraebang.

The karaoke was now a group tradition, much to Jeong-hyeok's chagrin. It was the cigarette smoke, the flashy disco lights, the tambourines, the same songs over and over again and the ensuing microphone war (usually incited by Pyo Chi-su who loved to hog it and was currently in possession of the mic...never mind that he was the best singer of the lot. no one would dare say that to his face and blow up his ego).

Jeong-hyeok's usual behavior was to take to a corner of the room, have a drink, refuse the microphone politely, look at his watch and check his phone.

But he had not seen his friends in a while and the karaoke was an effective stress buster especially for pilots who suffer long duty periods, circadian disruption and lack of sleep, so he was more forgiving.

Eun-dong, a pilot-in-training, gave a jolly wave at Jeong-hyeok, same as Ju-meok, soon to be a regional pilot. Jeong-hyeok gave a small smile before taking his seat.

"Beer? Soju?" Kwang-beom asked Jeong-hyeok.

"Cider. Thanks."

Eun-dong huddled over to Jeong-hyeok to greet the senior pilot.

"My love toward you is
unconditional, unconditional.
My love toward you is
ultra-express love!"

"How long has he been singing?" Jeong-hyeok tipped his head over at Chi-su.

"It's his second song. He already lined up 5 more, but Ju-meok is going to fight him after this." Eun-dong could already predict the mayhem with a shake of his head. "Are you doing well, Captain?"

Jeong-hyeok nodded and smiled. "How are your studies doing?"

Eun-dong scratched his head, "Aviation weather is really tricky."

"You're in luck, Captain Lee is an expert on that." Kwang-beom rejoined them after placing orders.

"Just ask what you need." Jeong-hyeok encouraged the youngest in the group. "I have a few books I can lend you."

"That would be great!" Eun-dong beamed.

"Even across the Pacific Ocean.
Even across the Atlantic Ocean.
Even across the Indian Ocean.
If you call me, I will run to you.
I will run to you unconditionally!"

Despite how flawlessly Pyo Chi-su sang the upbeat Park Sang Chul classic, the karaoke machine rated him a 90 which made Chi-su's jaw drop and then throw a fit. "90?! Are you kidding me? This machine is corrupted!"

"Take it up with the staff." Ju-meok patted Chi-su with a nod of sympathy while prying away his microphone successfully and adding his song which appeared on the screen as 'Bingle Bingle '.

"Hey! I still have a song!"

"And here they go." Kwang-beom heralded, as their order of ice-cold beverages would come just in time with some chips and fries. He extended the can of cider to Jeong-hyeok and waved it when the latter was not paying attention. "Cap? Cap."

"Oh." Jeong-hyeok looked up from his phone and accepted the can, "Thanks."

"Who are you talking to?"

Jeong-hyeok shook his head, setting his phone aside so he could pull the tab of the can and pour the contents of the carbonated beverage into his glass.